Reply to an Announcement by J. Rankine

Portrait of Robert Burns
Robert Burns 1759–1796
40Poems and Songs. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

I AM a keeper of the law In some sma’ points, altho’ not a’; Some people tell me gin I fa’, Ae way or ither, The breaking of ae point, tho’ sma’, Breaks a’ thegither.

I hae been in for’t ance or twice, And winna say o’er far for thrice; Yet never met wi’ that surprise That broke my rest; But now a rumour’s like to rise— A whaup’s i’ the nest!

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